Delanco, NJ: 11-Alarm Warehouse Fire

Date: 2013-09-04

On Sunday September 1, 2013 a building fire was reported in Delanco, Burlington County at 1000 Coopertown Rd, at the Dietz & Watson warehouse.

First arriving units reported heavy smoke coming from the roof area of the building. Crews secured the limited water supplies and set up for defensive operations. Multiple Ladder Pipes were set up to surround the building. Roof operations were off limits due to the entire roof being covered with solar panels.

Water supply issue began early as Command dispatched the Pipeline task force and struck additional alarms.

The Fire Boat out of Camden City was called for drafting. Crews worked to secure a supply line over 1 mile long to draft out of a creek.

The fire was officially placed under control more than 24 hours after it started. The 11 alarm blaze brought 200 firefighters from 5 different counties in to assist. Two minor firefighter injuries were reported.

Delanco Fire Chief reported the fire to have started in the middle of the building and extend into the roof area. He stated due to the roof being covered with solar panels he was not able to put his men on the roof to perform a trench cut. “Normal roof, we would be able to get on there, trench it, cut if off. With the power sitting on top of the roof, I can not. The building isn’t worth one of my guys lives.”

The 266,000 building which was 6 years old, stored meats and cheeses from factories for 3 states. The business was closed for the Labor Day weekend. Two security guards on the property noticed the smoke.